Coin-controlled apparatus.



Nor/90,125.l PATENTBDM..A.Y16,19o5.

. R. o. HAMMOND.

COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 2z, 1904.

I .1 Aw

PATENTED MAY 16', 1905.

No. '19o-,125., ff

, R.' 0. HAMMOND.

G01N GONTROLLBD ABPARATUS;

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 22,1904.

foffy@ UNITED YSTATES Patented May 16,19o5f PATENT v OFFICE.

ROBERT O.'HAlVIMOND, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO SHUL- MAN AUTOMATIC NOVELTY'COMPANY, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK,

' A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

COIN-CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 790,125, dated May 16, 1905.

` Application filed July Z2, 1904. Serial No. 217,664.

To a/Z whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, ROBERT O. HAMMOND, a'citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin-Controlled Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

- This invention relates to'coin-controlled apparatus; and its object is to provide a device of this character in which an intermittent operation of thev serving mechanism is effected by the passage of one coin through the machine.

- The invention consists, broadly, in a serving mechanism-meaning by this any element or combination of elements adapted to give a return for money deposited in the machinea plurality of actuating elements operatively connected with such mechanism, and a coinpassage having such relation to these actuating elements that the coin 4will engage with them successively, thereby producing an intermittent operation of the serving mechanism. It also includes means for arresting the movement of the coin after engaging with the first actuating element and before engaging with the second actuating element. whereby the intermittent action of the serving mechanism is properly timed and spaced. In the preferred application illustrated in the accompanying drawings the serving mechanism is represented by what I term an ,operatingcircuit -that is, an electric circuit adapted to operate or cause to be operated the actual serving elements. As the construction of the latter forms no part of the presentinvention, they have not been illustrated; but said operating-circuit is to be construed as the representative or equivalent of these devices. Each of the actuating elements comprises a pair of contacts connected with the circuit, and the coin in passage is adapted to connect the members of these pairs successively, thereby successively making and breaking the operatingcircuit. These contacts constitute stops for arresting the`motion of the coin, and means is provided for successively retracting these Stops at proper intervals, thereby insuring the closing of the circuit for the desired space of time.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a portion, of a slot-machine embodying my invention showing part of the elements in elevation. In this view the coin is shown resting against the first contact. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the casing of the machine, the coin-controlled mechanism being shown in end elevation. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View similar to Fig. 1, except that the contacts are shown as retracted and the coin resting against the detent member. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View similar to Fig. 1, except that the coin is shown resting against the second contact. Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section through thecasing of the machine, taken on line 5 5, Fig. 1, the coin-controlled mechanism being shown in end elevation. Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6 6, Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a section taken on line 7 7, Fig. 3. Fig'. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of the upper section of the coin-passage- Fig. 9 is a fragmentary View of the coin-passage, showing the trap-door in an open position. Fig. 10 is a section taken on line 1() 10, Fig. 3. Fig. 11 is a section taken on line 11 11, Fig. 8, indicating by dotted lines aspurious coin dropping from the passage. Fig. 12 is a plan view of the inclined way, indicating diagrammatically the travel of the lower end of the triprod. Figs. 13 and 14 are fragmentary perspective views of the lower portion of the trip-rod.

A represents the casing, and B the coinpassage. The latter `is provided with an insulated section C, having two apertures c, which receive contacts D and D', carried on a bar (Z, which is pivoted intermediate its lengtluas at CZ. This bar is connected with one end of a wire E, in which is formed a solenoid e, and whose other end is electrically connected with the coin-passage, as at a. Wire E constitutes a partial circuit, the operating-circuit referred to above. Contact D and the non-insulated portion of the coin-passage form one pair ofcontacts, and contact D `and said non-insulated portion of the passage form a second pair of contacts. As clearly illustrated in the drawings, (see Figs. 1 and 4,) the coin successively connects the members of these two pairs of contacts, thereby completing the circuit.

F represents the detent member, whose function it is to arrest the coin between the two sets of contacts, and in this instance it comprises a spring-controlled pull-rod, whose inner end projects within the coin-passage between the contacts and whose outer end eX- tends through the casing and is provided with an operating-knob f. As has already been intimated, contacts D and D constitute stops for arresting motion of the coin, and it should be clear that throughout the entire period while the coin is in contact with either pair the operating-circuit is continuously closed, and the serving elements are understood to be in continuous operation.

I shall now describe the means whereby contacts D and D are retracted to permit the further passage of the coin. The other end d2 of the bar d is adapted to be depressed at suitable moments by a trip-rod Gr. The latter is normally held out of contact with end (Z2, or at least merely in light engagement therewith, by acoil-spring g, which lies between a stop on the trip-rod and a stationary bracket g. The trip-rod is suitably mounted for reciprocating motion, and its lower end is preferably provided with an antifriction-roller g2. This roller operates upon an inclined wayH, borne upon a reciprocating carriage H, said way sloping upward from its end normally adjacent the roller and being abruptly cut away at its other end. The movement oi' the carriage is intended to be such that the roller g2 is caused to travel over the surface of the inclined way, thus elevating the trip-rod, and iinally to make an abrupt` plunge over the rear end of the way, whereby the weight of the trip-rod overcomes the action of spring g and momentarily depresses end d2 of the bar d. This movement-will be suiicient to elevate contacts D and D', thereby permitting the coin to pass onward to engage with detent member F or to the coinreceptacle, as the case may be. A spring g3 is provided for returning the contacts to their normal positions; but of course this spring must not be of such strength as to prevent the elevation of the contacts by the action of the trip-rod. Trip-rod G is formed in two sections so pivotally connected that they may be thrown out of alinement only by a force operating in a certain direction. As clearly shown in Figs. 13 and 14, one of the members of the trip-rod is provided with a plate G', rig-A idly secured thereto, while the other member is pivotally connected to this plate. The meeting ends of the two sections are inclined, so that pivotal motion 1s permitted only in one direction, and a spring G2 operates to return the two members into alinement. Upon the forward end of way H, disposed oppositely to what I may term the yielding side of the trip-rod, is a cam-surface t. (illustrated in Fig. 12.) In this figure the path of roller y is diagrammatically illustrated. Beginning at the forward end of the inclined way, the roller rides upward, as already described, and plunges down over the abrupt end, after which on the return movement of carriage ll' the lower end of the trip-rod is engaged by the cam-surface t and the lower end ol the rod is deflected to the side oi' way H. When the carriage has resumed its normal position, the lower end of the trip-rod has sprung into alinement by action of spring G2 and is ready for a second trip over the surface oi the way.

I shall now describe the various means employed for rejecting spurious coins and preventing the voperation ofthe serving mechanism thereby. The upper section 1 oi the coi npassage is laterally inclined, as-clearly illustratedin Figs.` 1() and 11, `and this portion is provided in its lower inclined side with a slot t' of less width .than the diameter of the coin intended to be used within the machine. Thus if a coin of smaller size is introduced it will be allowed to fall outof the passage through slot f/, as indicated byidotted lines in Fig. 11. The bottom of this section of the passage is provided with a counterweighted trap-door so adjusted that itwill not yield under the weight of the standard coin; but if an object of greater weight-as, for instance, a lead disk-be introduced then the door will yield beneath its weight and allow it to drop from the passage, as shown in Fig. 9. For the rejection of iron disks Ilhave provided an electromagneti K, which is operatively disposed` with reference to an aperture in the side of the coin-passage immediately abovethe ii rst contact D. Thus when the coin engages with this contact the operating-circuit is closed, as before described, and the magnet is excited. lf the coin be genuine, the usual operation olE parts will proceed; but ii' it be-of a metal capable of becoming magnetized it will he immediately drawn by the magnet through aperture 7c, thus breaking the operatiiig-circuit before the serving elements havek had sii-llieient opportunity to operate. OlE course as soon as the circuit is broken the magnet becomes denergized, and the' coin is permitted to drop, within the casing.

In considering the operation of the parts already described the invention will vbe understood as being applied to a coin -controlled shoeblackingl machine; but it. may be used with otherlstyles oi`,checkcontrolled apparatus. The operator places one foot-in contact with' the brushes (not shown) and deposits a coin in the coin-passage. If the check is not rejected by one oi' the several protective devices, it will lirst engage with contact l). The brushes will be set in movement, and after IIO a sufficient interval of time has elapsed for the completion of the operation of blacking one shoe carriage H will be moved toward the triprod, preferably through some connection with the serving mechanism. The trip-rod will be elevated and will finally operate to retract the contact, asv already described. The coin now passes onward until it contacts with the inner end of detent member F, when itis prevented movingfa-rther by the restriction of the passage. The circuit is now broken and the brushes have ceased operation. operator may now withdraw his foot from the brushes at leisure and place the other shoe in position to be operated upon. He now pulls forward upon knob f, Vthereby releasing the coin and permitting it to pass onward into engagement with contact D. rIhe circuit is again closed, and the operationjustV described in connection with contact D is repeated, except that upon the retraction of contact D the coin is permitted to pass onward to a suitable receptacle, and the operation of the serving elementsis concluded.

What is claimed as new isd 1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-operated serving mechanism; of a plurality of actuating elements operatively connected therewith, a coinpassage. so disposed with reference to said elements that the coin engages therewith successively, and means for arresting the coin after engaging with the first actuating element and before engaging with the second element, whereby an intermittent operation of the serving mechanism is effected.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-operated serving mechanism; of a coin-`passage, a plurality of actuating elements operatively connected with the serving mechanism, said elements being disposed adjacent the coin-passage aiidcomprising stops for successively arresting the movement of the coin, means for releasing the coin from the elements, and means for arresting the coin intermediate said elements.A

3. In a deviceof the character described, the combinationwith an operating-circuit; of a plurality of contacts connected therewith, a coin-passage so disposed with reference to said contacts that the coin engages therewith successively, and a releasable detent member for arresting the coin after engaging with the first contact and before engaging with the second contact, whereby the circuit is closed and opened a plurality of times.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with an operating-circuit; of a coin-passage,.a plurality of contacts connected with said circuit, said contacts being disposed adjacent the coin-passage and comprising stops for successively arresting the movement of the coin, means for temporarily arresting the coin intermediate said contacts and out of electrical connection therewith,

The

Vrotate the latter by force of gravity alone.

and means for retracting said contacts to permit the'further passage -of the coin.A

5. In a device of the character described,

" the combination with an operating-circuit; of a coin-passage electrically connected with one terminal thereof, a pivoted bar, two contacts secured thereto and normally standing adja- Lcent the passage forming stops for arresting y,the coin, and means for rotating said bar to retract both contacts and permit the further passage of the coin.

- 6. In a deviceof the character described, the combination with an operating-circuit, of a coin-passage electrically connected with one terminal thereof, a pivoted bar, a contact borne thereby and normallyV standing adjacent the passage forming a stop for arresting the coin, and'a gravity trip-rod for rotating said bar to retract the contact and permit the further passage of the coin. v

7 In a device of the charactery described, the combination with an operating-circuit; of

a coin-passage electrically connected with one the passage forming a stop for arresting the coin, a bar pivoted intermediate its length and bearing said contact on one side of its pivot,

a gravity trip-rod normally out ofoperative engagement with the other end of the bar, and

-a reciprocating inclined way engaging with one end of the trip-rod and having an abruptlycut-away region at its elevated end, whereby the trip-rod is elevated and permitted to drop by force of gravity.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination with an operating-circuit; of

IOO

IIO

a coin-passage electrically connected with one i lterminal thereof, a contact normally adjacent the passage forming a stop for arresting the coin, a bar pivoted intermediate its length and bearing said contact on one side of its pivot, a gravity-trip-rod, a spring normally holding said rod out of operativev engagement with the other end of the bar, and means for successively elevating and releasing said bar, whereby the strength of said spring is overcome and engagement eifectedbetween the trip and bar to 10. In a device of the character described,y the combination with an operating-circuit; of a coin-passage electrically connected with one terminal thereof, a contact normally adjacentthe'passage forming a stop for arresting the eoin, a bar pivoted intermediate its length and vated end, said end being provided with acambearing said Contact on one side of its pivot, surface for throwing the parts of the tri p-rod a gravity trip-rod normally ont of operative out of alinement. engagement with the other end of the bar, said In testimony whereof l have aixed my si g- 5 trip-rod being formed in two parts, means for nature in the presence of two subscribing wit- I5 permitting said parts to be thrown out of alinenesses.

ment only by a force operating in a certain di- ROBERT O. HAMMOND. rection, and a reciprocating inclined way en- Witnesses: gaging with one end of the trip-rod and hav- EMIL NEUHART,

IO ing an abruptly-cutaway region at its ele- CHAS. F. BURKHART. 

